1680 AM RADIO
NAMING & OPERATIONS
August 4, 2026
PURPOSE - A backup means of sharing critical emergency information with the public via vehicle and battery-operated radios.
USE - Runs 24/7 and can be used by PVPUSD and the City to push any emergency or public safety related.
TIMELINE
March 17, 2026 - City Council approved a MOU with PVPUSD.
April 21, 2026 - CC directed staff to conduct a naming contest and explore radio use for non-emergency info.
May 12, 2026 – Radio station installed at Ridgecrest Intermediate School.
May 25- June 8th Radio Naming Contest.
June 18th – EPC chose contest winner.
Emergency Radio Background
Radio Use
The FCC Permit only allows information on Travel, Imminent Danger and Emergencies for the radio.
No regular radio station channels currently available in Los Angeles County
If one becomes available, will likely cost millions to obtain Radio Naming Contest
Shared through schools to students, staff and family.
Ran from May 25th to June 8th.
Winner received an emergency bag and a $50 gift card.
YAC helped with outreach, EPC selected winner.
Contest Submissions
1. Peninsula Emergency Radio Station (Winner)
EPC recommends: Remove the word “Station” to be more succinct.
2. Emergency Radio PV (Runner Up)
EPC recommends: Place the word “PV” before “Emergency Radio”
3. Radio RPV
Name Recommendation
EPC and City staff strongly recommend
placing “1680 AM” at the front of any name
selected and emphasizing the channel
number in all outreach materials.
✓ The channel is the most critical component
of the name
✓ Ensures residents can quickly recall/ find
the radio station during an emergency.
Next Steps
• Training and creation of radio use guidance material
• Implement back up transmission option through digital radio • Develop outreach material in coordination with EPC
• Conduct public outreach using name decided upon by CC • Practice radio use at EOC Functional Exercise in October Recommendations
Staff recommends to approve the
radio station name as 1680 AM:
Peninsula Emergency Radio and
receive and file information on a
regular radio station broadcast.